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Introducing Kwam Korsa–Acquah Aka Dum Doodles….

A Star is born

Say hello to this talented and unique rising star from London. He goes by the name of Dum Doodles and is an independent underground cartoonist, character designer and animator.

2013 was a terrific year for this gifted young man. He has achieved so much and continues to have a brilliant impact in the world of animation thanks to his passion for art and his ability to revive the concept of cartoons back to life. Dum Doodles shows us an edgy side to his drawings making art relevant and exciting. Besides, the name Dum Doodles carries an intriguing fragrance on its own and makes you wonder who the real Dum Doodles is.

One word that comes into mind is Character. After taking his GCSE’S, he took a short course in flash animation, then sent an email to UK Grime artist Bashy an through MySpace and asked him if he could do some art for him. Destiny awaited him. He took a step of faith and that ‘one’ step changed his life forever.

Highlights of his credentials include producing his first music video for Bashy’s remix video of Amy Winehouse Rehab, where he had his first taste of success after having over 55,000 views on YouTube in just five days. Like the saying to never despise small beginnings, there was a great hype surrounding his work and it spread to the ears of the RnB singer Chris Brown. A door opened for Dum Doodles work to be published on Chris Brown website, for his project called Young G’z, which celebrates young talent. As if that was just the icing on the cake, more opportunities came for the British Ghanaian star. Through word of mouth, UK girl band Stooche contacted Dum Doodles and he did some doodles for their video ‘Ain’t No Other Me’. This was also a significant time as Warner Music discovered his work and Dum Doodles was commissioned to work on Stooche debut album ‘London with the lights on’ cartooning the girls in the deluxe edition lyric poster and in their music video for their single “Slip”. To see and hear more from Dum Doodles, Why not connect with the star himself?

Dum Doodles is a wonderful role model for young people. His story is inspiring and his boldness will undoubtedly encourage others to take bold steps for their future. We can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store him. Kwam Korsa–Acquah Aka Dum Doodles, Me FiRi Ghana salutes you!

Last month Me Firi Ghana conducted a brief interview with Dum Doodles. Below is an insight into how it went;

MFG: What is the inspiration behind the name DUM Doodles?

DD: “Stop-doing-those dumb doodles”.. My school teachers, siblings, aunties and uncles used to call the doodles ‘dumb’ ALL the time because they would appear on walls, homework, text books & every unconventional place. So for me taking the “B” off DUM and making Dum-Doodles a brand was a pun but also changing a negative to a positive.

MFG:Did you always know you would end up being a cartoonist?

DD: My dad’s babysitting method was to stick me in front of the TV after his 12hr shift to watch cartoons for hours day after day. What did my parents expect a doctor?! Did I laugh at things most wouldn’t? Yes. Did I draw those things? Yes. I loved stories, and my imagination sees life as a movie.

MFG: How would you describe your journey so far as a cartoonist, animator and character designer?

DD: Transitional. I started drawing and animating sequences on computer in 2005 on windows paint and posting on MySpace. I thought my drawings on windows paint were DOPEEEE back then. Looking back I can’t even make out if my characters were human! In 2013 seeing the doodles now blown up 6ft on a bowling alley for a Warner Brothers music video…I had a classic Ren&Stimpy moment of insanely chuckling to myself because it’s cool that black cartoonists are being recognized by the mainstream movement. Growth is my buddy. So is God.

MFG:Can you define your style as an artist in 3 words?

DD: Urban, African, Disney.

MFG: What do you love most about being a Ghanaian?

DD: I can’t wait to be a future Ghanaian parent and traditionally make my kids suffer, they will never trust ice-cream containers again and I won’t have to stretch for the remote, only press a buzzer and they will come downstairs to pass it to me.

I love our music, food and art- I grew up listening to high-life, hip-life and remember heavy tunes from Tick Tock, Tiny & VIP . I’m also loving the new Africa movement that Fuse ODG is bringing. Guvna B in gospel, Phillip Butah the artist who did Ed Sheeran’s album art and Alex from Stooshe are all Ghanaians doing well in the U.K scene-. I am proud to be a part of this. We also have the best football team in the world!!

MFG: What advice would you give to any young person who wants to succeed in their field or craft?

DD: Get inspired, continue to be the master of your craft, Dream Big and never ever stop believing….